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[truthcharted]

Looks like I got caught up in the case myself... I should have listened when they warned me, but no, of course I didn't listen.

In the interest of fair disclosure, I guess I'll introduce myself. My name's Kevin. Kevin Steele. I work for the FBI, and I'm assigned to keep an eye on the city and make sure nothing untoward happens. But now I'm part of everything, just the same as all of you. At least I'm not coming in totally blind, but... well, there's not a whole lot else to be said for it.

Don't mistake this for a truce - if something happens, I'm going to be on top of it immediately. And I'm not going to tolerate any idiocy in what is now my city. I just want to make sure that's clear now. Don't do anything crazy, and you won't have problems from me.

So, now that I've said that... I'm working my way through the backlog, but I'm certain there are things that weren't in the briefing that I need to know. Anyone have any ideas?

Comments

[audio]

[seed_of_memory]

...

Agent Steele.

This is... an interesting coincidence.

[truthcharted]

Ms. Terasawa. Looks like trouble's found you again... not that I'm one to talk, after this.

How's business?

text;

[saviorsoul]

what exactly is untoward. and are you doing anything about the gang attacks

[truthcharted]

People with numbers trying to kill each other, mind control being abused, using being on this network as a justification to commit crimes against others... That's the kind of thing I can't agree with.

As for the gang attacks, we're still trying to gather information. Or at least, I am. There are only so many of us around here, you know. Once I know enough, and we're not going to turn this city into a warzone trying to take action, we're going to. [Read: My hands are tied, but I'm trying to work the knot as quickly as I can.]

voice;

[kyoumibukai]

You seem pretty no-nonsense. Maybe you should tell us what you do know before we let you know what we know. With all the bullshit going around about us nowadays, on Fox News and shit, we need to know what the hell you're all thinking about us, don't you think?

[He's not broadcasting video, trying to hide his obvious youth from the FBI agent. His voice is surprisingly deep for his age, making the illusion fairly complete.]

I mean, you're one of us, sure, but we have to know we can trust you to treat us right when the time comes to mediate.

[truthcharted]

I think there are more than a few loose cannons, and that much has been proven. But I've heard more than enough to convince me that most of you are good people, or at least not bad people. It's just that the problem children have been very, very visible. And I like Fox News about as much as I like paying taxes, ignoring that my salary comes from that. As for the rest of you, I'm willing to listen to people before I make rash decisions.

Basically, if I can count on you not to do something we'll all regret, I'm on your side.

video;

[hotshots]

[ Neil blinks for a second. The guy looks halfway familiar... he'd seen him in passing, at least, right? ]

Oh, hey. 'Sup. If you're with the Feds, I guess I don't need too much of an introduction.

Kinda good to see another one of you guys on here though, I gotta say.

[truthcharted]

[Yeah, he knows you, Neil.]

No, you don't. I wasn't expecting you to chime in, Mr. Dylandy, but I certainly won't complain. There aren't enough of us to go around, and that goes double for those that truly understand the case - that are on the network.

[audio]

[scarlet_devil]

[The voice is young, teenage and has a very slight accent.]

Your city? Goodness, are you going to put on a cape and cowl next?

[Yes, brilliant idea Emi, make fun of the FBI agent.]

Now, the question is, what exactly do you consider 'doing something crazy' as you put it?

[truthcharted]

I live here. This is as much my city as it is yours. That might have been a bad choice of words; I apologize.

But realistically, I just need people to be sensible about using their powers. No murder, no intentional destruction of property, no blackmail, that sort of thing. I don't mind if you're going about your lives, and things happen every so often. This isn't one of those dark comic books where I need everyone's names and power set so we can regulate things. I just don't want anyone getting themselves into trouble without cause.

[senseandcecilbility]

[What a scary person.]

Forgive me for asking so, sir, but which city is now...er...yours?

[Because Vegas could use some law enforcement, really.]

[truthcharted]

Locke City. I assume that question means you're in Las Vegas... we're working on getting a team out there, but it's much further, and we don't have as much information, so it's taking some time. Locke happens to not be too far from the beltway, so it's not as bad a deployment for us.

video;

[drama8om8]

Your city? Aww. That's cute! Cute and adorable and completely fucking precious.

[truthcharted]

Yeah. My city. The place where I live, where I work. Somewhere I want to be able to relax, in my free time. [Ha. Not that he ever takes any.]

That's all I mean, and I would appreciate if you didn't throw a fit over it. [He's got a feeling that might be asking a lot.]

[Video]

[chalicejoker]

Just so we're clear, exactly what do you classify as "crazy?"

[Says the gigantic humanoid bug.]

[truthcharted]

I've had enough of having to read incident reports. Petty squabbles that take pieces out of streets, attempted murder, ruining lives for fun. I know you folks have a hard time here, and it's not always your fault. I'm not going to begrudge you defending yourselves, or trying to find your answers. But I'm going to be trusting all of you not to go off the handle and start causing problems.

No unprovoked incidents, and as minimal of collateral damage as you can manage. That's really all I need.

[Video]

[scramasax]

[This is someone of technical import connecting, these responses can't be helping anything - not that he will for that matter but... hopefully cooperation will a gesture, at least. Establishes connection, hesitates a moment before speaking up and locking it in visually - hushed and compressed, perhaps subconsciously reeling in a high upper edge.]

By uhmm - ...By "briefing" - sir, d-do you mean the guide...?

-- I apologize, excuse me...

[truthcharted]

[Well, now. He's heard of this one, though it's hard not to.]

I mostly meant the actual briefing from my superiors and the others on the Locke team, but I've had the most recent version of that guide linked to me as well. Or at least, what I'm hoping is the most recent. And don't apologize, I appreciate it. We're not trying to be the bad guys, here. We just have interests that need to be kept in check.

[sylvanguard]

[Ariel is a little bemused and a little something else when she turns on the video form her laptop in order to respond.
]
Just to be clear, what is defined as crazy? And what if it was self defense or something?

[truthcharted]

If someone else attacks you first, by all means, make them rue the day. Uh, but try not to kill them. I mostly just want to not have violence in the streets. If we're the kind of people that attack others because we can, or to make a point, then we're no better than the mafia.

Video

[onecream_fivesugar]

H-hi.

Uhmmm... I dunno if I know anything that you don't already know, what was in the briefing?

[truthcharted]

Quite a bit, as it happens; I was mostly looking for current events, or if anything had changed recently. It takes time to establish surveillance in a new place, especially without resources already in place. Or if you are the resource being placed.

And hello, miss. I'm not trying to scare you, I promise. I tend to have that effect, though.

[He might be trying not to laugh at her.]

video;

[starlightheart]

[ Before responding, Natalie is initially floored by the mere sight of this man. She'd never gotten an echo from just the sight of a person before, so the sudden familiarity that floods into her is unusual beyond just the normal results of such a thing. It takes her a few moments to get her bearings, and while she may not have completely by the time she responds, she's at least not a stammering mess. ]

Ah, pardon me, Agent Steele... I don't believe we've ever met before, but... that just makes recognizing you even weirder.

[truthcharted]

Recognizing me? Where do you- nngh! [Kevin's reaction is not as elegant, as an odd feeling of hollowness he's not accustomed to strikes him, and he's breathing hard when it ends a moment later.] Takamachi... Nanoha...? What the hell? Is this common?

video; private

[buildyourworld]

Are you sure it's wise to expose yourself now that the mafia are openly targeting Numbers?

[ Seriously, what the hell is wrong with all the FBI agents and their inability to keep their identity quiet? ]

video; private

[truthcharted]

I'm not a fan of dealing with our entrapment clauses. If I present myself as law enforcement from the outset, I don't have to worry about the red tape on that. And if someone attacks me because I'm a fed, then, well... it just means I get backup sooner than expected when I get a team dropping onto the city to check on me.